Environmental battle

Environmental protection organiza- tions bringing polluters to court in the public interest is something new in China. The success of the first case of this kind blazes a new trail in the battle against polluters.

The All China Environment Federation (AEF) along with a local environmental protection group in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, sued a local paper mill for illegally discharging wastewater into a nearby river. On Dec 30, 2010, the people's court of Qingzhen city in this southwestern province convicted the paper mill of illegally discharging pollutants into the river and ordered the mill be closed.

The case was not complicated, but it is significant, as it is controversial whether an environmental protection organization can act as a plaintiff and file a lawsuit against polluters.